Local Senior Officer David Rout presented his report with figures revealing a 12% reduction in the number of accidental house fires (94 for quarter two in 2014/15 compared to 83 for the same period this year) and reduction of accidental house fire casualties from 13 last year to six this year.

LSO Rout said: “Partnership working and the delivery of Home Fire Safety Visits are both key areas in reducing the number of accidental dwelling fires. The area is making good progress in relation to both of these with good partnerships developed with the local authority in relation to sheltered housing and cared for people.”

In relation to Home Fire Safety visits SFRS continues to improve its performance with 1,114 visits delivered this year to date compared to 673 for the same reporting period for the previous year (a 50% increase).

The report also highlighted a reduction in deliberate fires, from 107 in 2014/15 during the second quarter, down to 79 for the same period this year.

LSO Rout said: “Partnership working and youth engagement are key areas in reducing the risk of deliberate fires occurring. Locally there are very good relationships between local Station Managers, Police Inspectors and Local Community Planning Groups.

“These partnerships along with a focus on identifying problem areas and carrying youth engagement around these, has been critical in terms of the continuing success against this priority.”

The service also underlined a reduction in the number of non-domestic and secondary fires with 107 reported in 2014/15, compared to 79 during the second quarter of this year.